Choosing replacement windows with energy-saving benefits is simple and the federal government also made it less expensive for homeowners with the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The bill includes the opportunity for homeowners to claim a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of eligible energy-efficient products to a maximum of $1,500 per household for 2009 and 2010 combined when used for remodeling and replacement. According to the IRS, a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your tax liability and can be deducted directly from your taxes owed.

While energy efficient replacement windows are included in this tax credit, not all replacement windows will qualify. Paul Delahunt, president of Renewal by Andersen, says, given the new tax credit, now is the best time to replace your leaky, worn-out windows. But he also cautions homeowners to do their homework to make sure the windows they purchase will qualify.

To qualify, windows must provide high levels of energy efficiency in two categories: reduced heat loss and reduced heat gain. The measurement for heat loss is called U-Factor and the measurement for heat gain is called Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC. To meet the performance requirements, the window or door must have both a U-Factor and SHGC rating equal to or less than 0.30 in all climate zones in the U.S.

When comparing windows for energy performance — and the 2009/2010 tax credit — be sure to check the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label that is displayed on the product. This label displays the U-Factor and SHGC ratings for the window or patio door. If the product does not have this label, then the unit does not have a certified NFRC value.

Qualifying replacement windows must be purchased and installed in a primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. While quality installation is a critical component of any successful window replacement project, installation costs are not included in the 2009/2010 tax credit. Your sales receipt should break out qualifying product costs separately.

In addition to your sales receipt, you will also need to save the NFRC label from each window or the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement with your tax documents.

Renewal by Andersen makes it easy for homeowners to take advantage of the new federal tax credit with its extensive selection of windows and patio doors with glass packages that meet or exceed the performance criteria to be eligible for the credit.

In fact, Delahunt says, virtually all Renewal by Andersen windows with High-Performance Low-E4 SmartSun glass are eligible for the tax credit. These same windows with SmartSun glass are up to 47 percent more energy efficient in winter and up to 70 percent more energy efficient in summer compared to ordinary dual pane glass — making a big impact on reducing your energy bills.

Homeowners interested in learning more about Renewal by Andersen products that may qualify can visit www.renewalbyandersen.com or call (800) 630-5838.

If you already have fans in place, check to see whether they are Energy Star qualified. Ceiling fan and light combinations that have earned Energy Star accreditation are about 50 percent more efficient than non-conforming units. The difference lies in improved motors and blade designs. A model with an Energy Star light kit included provides even greater energy savings, and the bulbs don’t need to be changed as often.

“Consumer demand for more energy-efficient products has driven the industry to integrate new lighting, blade and motor technologies that save operating costs. New products integrating the latest technologies are up to 75 percent more efficient than previous models” says Steve Cox, vice president and general manager of Emerson Ceiling Fans.

Paul Vrabel, a principal at ICF International, an energy solutions firm that partners with government clients, explains how to operate fans correctly. “Put them on when you are in the room — during the day and when sleeping — and turn them off when you leave. Ceiling fans cool people, not air,” he says. “Using fans wisely while turning down the [air conditioner] can save a lot of money.”

Ceiling fans do such an efficient job of circulating air, they probably should be everywhere. “Any type of room can benefit,” says Nathan Frampton, president of ceiling fan company Fanimation. “Bedrooms, family rooms, and exterior living spaces are the most common applications, but we are seeing [them used] more in larger bathrooms, walk-in closets, home offices and garages.”

Size matters

Dennis Davenport, vice president of product development for Monte Carlo Fans, concurs. “Consumers are installing ceiling fans throughout their homes,” he says, pointing to the rapid growth of models in all sizes. “For example, fans with blade spans of 54, 60 and 72 inches are increasingly popular for living rooms, while those with 24-inch spans are being installed in hallways and walk-in closets.”

How do you estimate the best size for your needs? “A good rule of thumb is a 36- to 52-inch diameter blade sweep for rooms measuring 200 square feet or less,” Frampton says. “For rooms 200 to 400 square feet, we recommend a diameter of 52 inches or greater; if the space is more than 400 square feet, two or more fans will be needed.”

The number of blades makes some difference in airflow, however, whether to choose a four-, five-, or six-blade version is really a matter of aesthetics, according to Frampton. “You hear a lot about blade pitch, diameter and motor size. These are factors that will affect airflow, but in the end the best way to judge is to stand under the fan you prefer and decided if the airflow feels sufficient,” he says.

It’s important not to underestimate. “The most common size sold in the U.S. is a 52-inch diameter. This fan size provides excellent results in rooms up to 150 square feet, but can also be appropriate for smaller rooms since it can be adjusted with multiple speeds and the direction of the blades can be reversed,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design. “It’s better to choose a slightly larger fan for a room than to choose a diameter that might prove to be too small to adequately provide air movement.”

Do you need a light kit?
Many fans now come with integrated lighting or offer a coordinating light kit available as an option. These lights do not offer enough illumination on their own, but they are useful in a room that already has some form of ambient lighting. “Ceiling fan lights should be considered as accent and mood lighting,” Davenport says.

Should a ceiling fan blend in or stand out?
The next step to consider is whether you’d like it to serve as a focal point or be more understated. “Is the room contemporary, traditional, tropical or transitional? Ceiling fans can serve as a design feature,” says Frampton.

“The primary trend in ceiling fan design has been for styles that create aesthetic statements as bold as a chandelier,” says Rey-Barreau. “This follows the overall trend in residential design for more varied and more sophisticated concepts. Today a consumer can find a ceiling fan that matches any interior design.”

Fans help in winter, too
In the summer, ceiling fans offer a comfortable alternative and accompaniment to air conditioning, but in the winter employing the reversible blade option provides a means of circulating the hotter air that rises to the ceiling. This helps save on heating bills when the weather gets cold.

For more information about how to utilize ceiling fans for year-round comfort in a fashionable style, contact an ALA member showroom. Go to www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com or call (800) BRIGHTIDEAS for a list of stores in your neighborhood.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Homeowners today are viewing their outdoor living space as extensions of their home. Among the 40 million homeowners who have an available outdoor living space, less than one-third prep their decks appropriately for the season, according to a Glidden brand survey. If you’re planning on using your outdoor living space this season, you may want to consider improving or upgrading your current deck.

Although it now may seem like a challenging time to invest in your home, enhancing your outdoor living space can be cost-effective. Exterior and replacement projects bring homeowners the best return on investment, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value report.

“Outdoor living has become an increasingly popular trend over the last few years,” says Stephen McNally, vice president of sales and marketing for TAMKO Building Products, Inc. “When selecting your future decking material, research all of your options to ensure you’re purchasing material that best meets your needs.”

When making a decision on your available decking options, you may want to consider the three common types of decking material:

Composite
Representing 40 to 60 percent of new decks, composite decking is the latest trend in outdoor living spaces. Composite decking is made from a blend of woods and recycled plastic, vinyl or acrylic materials that prolong the life of the deck. Although the initial price of composite decking may be higher compared to other types of wood, the expected lifespan can save money in the long run.

Many homeowners are attracted to composite decking because it provides the appearance of real wood, requires little maintenance and typically comes with a longer warranty period. For example, TAMKO’s EverGrain is backed by a 25-year limited warranty.

“Composite decking requires no painting or staining which allows homeowners to spend more time enjoying their decks rather than working to maintain them,” says McNally.

Pressure-treated
Pressure-treated wood contains preservatives that provide protection against termites, insects and fungal decay. The wood product is placed into a depressurized cylinder. The cylinder is filled with preservatives under high pressure that forces them deeply into the wood. When the process ends, the cylinder is drained and the remaining preservative is reused. Applying preservatives is an attempt to slow drying which means less shrinkage occurs and the surface of the wood remains smoother longer.

Although pressure-treated wood is usually found at relatively low cost, it is at high risk for moisture damage. In order to protect a pressure-treated deck against weather and premature aging, the wood requires regular power washing and yearly application of stain and sealer.

Cedar
Cedar is another commonly used decking material because it is attractive, easy to work with and is naturally rot- and insect-resistant. Cedar wood decking material has less than half the swelling and shrinking tendencies of other domestic softwoods.

If cedar wood goes untreated, over time it will lose its natural golden hue and may turn a silver grey color. The average lifespan of cedar is roughly 10 years and, in order to double the lifespan, regular applications of staining and waterproofing are highly recommended.

When you’re ready to begin creating or improving your outdoor living space, research your options. Be sure you’re picking the best available material to ensure your deck will last you many more summer months to come.

Courtesy of ARA content

Today’s homeowners update their kitchens to reflect their personal tastes and add visual appeal their guests can enjoy when they entertain. But how do you get a custom look in your kitchen without the hefty price tag?

“By adding just a few decorative accents, homeowners can not only create a custom-looking kitchen, they can create a space that reflects a specific look — from Art Nouveau to French Neoclassical,” says Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat, a cabinet company specializing in kitchen design.

If you think updating your kitchen is out of your budget, here are some cost-effective renovation tips that can help you live the good life and entertain in a stylish kitchen that is a perfect reflection of your personal taste.

1. Cabinetry accents

While there will always be a place for custom cabinetry, there are more sensible and affordable options. Cabinetry accents work to enhance any kitchen’s style with details such as feet, corbels, ornamental onlays and molding inserts. These decorative details can change the look of ordinary cabinetry into heirloom furniture, while allowing the homeowner to express their own personal style.

In addition to cabinetry accents, many common cabinetry options can be creatively incorporated. Decorative hardware is one small detail that can make a big statement. Pulls and knobs can complement the cabinetry style, or they can be used to create a refreshing contrast.

2. Add color and contrast

Adding splashes of color is a great way to create a fun, vibrant look while keeping the kitchen functional. Try adding tile details such as a colorful backsplash behind the stove. Or, purchase fresh towels and accessories for your kitchen in a coordinated, colorful design.

Using color as an accent on crown molding also adds a personal touch, while molding build-ups and dentil molding create intriguing visual effects. Cabinetry molding in a contrasting finish creates an entirely different look, and including under-cabinet molding can add even more personality to your kitchen.

3. Make it your own

Displaying decorative items is an easy way to add your own personal touch. Options like pigeon holes, plate racks and glass front cabinet doors can be used to display these special items. Things like porcelain collectables, wine bottles or fine china are all types of decorative items that help create a personal space that sparks conversation with guests.

“People are spending more and more time in their kitchen, and whether they are using it for everyday activities or for entertaining, they want it to be beautiful,” says Radoy. “The kitchen is a space that should make the homeowner proud, a place they love to be in, and by incorporating just a few design details any homeowner can accomplish this.”

If creating your dream kitchen seems out of reach, there’s still hope, as you could win a $30,000 kitchen makeover. You can get your chance by visiting www.merillat.com and viewing the “Good Life” music video. Then, make your own video before June 4 about what the “good life” means to you — include your friends, family, pets and more. If chosen, your video will appear on Merillat’s Facebook page where fans can vote on their favorite. You could win the ultimate kitchen makeover or one of several great prizes.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Real estate is a tough market today. If you’re a seller, creating curb appeal is a key to entice potential buyers to come inside for a second look. Home selling experts predict that as many as 40 percent of potential buyers reject a home based on their first impression of the front of the house. The general appearance of the front yard is the single largest factor shaping impressions of your home.

Even if your home is not on the market, projects that improve your home’s curbside appeal can also create a safer home, help protect your assets and give the entire front of the house a beautiful look.

“Driveways and sidewalks are the first impression people have of your home. Well-maintained driveways and sidewalks create a strong first impression. On the other hand, if they are worn, cracked, stained and faded, that creates messages about what someone might find inside the home,” says home improvement industry expert Gordon Blickle of Gardner-Gibson.

Driveways are often overlooked, spoiling an otherwise manicured landscape. Unless it is severely cracked, crumbling or poses a safety hazard, there’s no need to spend thousands on removing and replacing it. There are easier options to make over a tired driveway that will boost the curb appeal of a home.

Seal of approval
Restore damaged asphalt by filling cracks with an asphalt crack filler or drive patch. Then renew the look of old, worn blacktop driveways with fast-drying Black Jack Ultra-Maxx 1000, a flexible, long-lasting filler and sealer with a 10-year guarantee. Or seal with new Gardner Pro7, with no mixing required and a jet-black seven-year finish.

Enlighten your view
An economical way to create a custom-home look is adding inexpensive landscape lighting. Low-voltage or solar lighting creates a softly-lit path to border the driveway, sidewalk and garden beds. While upgrading the look of the entire home, lighting deters unwanted visitors, improves home visibility, welcomes guests with a safe lighted path and decreases the chance of someone accidentally driving onto the lawn.

Refresh your sidewalks
Dirt, mold and algae that settle on sidewalks, pavers and driveways create a really dismal first impression. Clean them with Driveway Kleen, a garden-safe spray solution that attaches to a garden hose. To protect stains from coming back, coat concrete, bricks, pavers and edgers with Krystal Brilliance, a waterbased clear acrylic sealer.

Beautify the borders
Instead of having to keep the edge of the lawn trimmed against the driveway, create a “buffer” strip with a decorative rock garden or plant flowers along the path to build an inviting drive up to the home. If your driveway is adjacent to your neighbor’s driveway, plant shrubs and flower beds between them for a small privacy wall.

Get an edge
Edge the driveway with pavers in colors complementary to the home and pavement. Use pavers in different shapes and sizes to create an interesting focal point and frame the driveway.

“Consider your front yard as ‘open arms’ that welcome visitors into your home,” says Blickle. “Without a warm welcome, guests and potential buyers may just keep walking.”

For more information and ideas on how to protect driveways from the elements, visit www.gardner-gibson.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

There’s a home improvement project this year that not only adds value and curb appeal to your home, but saves energy and offers up to a $1,500 federal tax credit to homeowners. The project? A stylish new insulated garage door.

Huge tax credit
Qualifying insulated garage doors purchased in 2009 and 2010 earn a sizeable tax credit — more valuable than a tax deduction — that reduces taxes dollar-for-dollar from the bottom line of your federal tax bill.

Under legislation passed in 2008, the tax credit maxed out at $500 or 10 percent of the product cost. But under the federal stimulus legislation announced in February 2009, the tax credit tripled to 30 percent of the product cost, up to a maximum of $1,500. This means that the door helps pay for itself through the tax credit incentive.

Full details on the tax credit and qualifying garage doors can be found at GarageWowNow.com, a non-commercial Web site sponsored by the garage door industry.

Energy savings
The driving factor behind the tax credit is energy savings — another money-saver for homeowners and a positive step for the environment. Homeowners find that the room next to the garage is often the coldest room in the winter.

Older, non-insulated garage doors can allow cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer to enter the house, increasing heating and cooling costs. A new, qualifying insulated door can make a difference in the temperature of your home while helping to reduce your energy bills in both winter and summer.

New styles boost curb appeal
In the last five years, a new breed of stylish garage doors has hit the market. And adding style to your home means adding value as well.

A garage door typically makes up more than one-third of a home’s front facade. A “plain vanilla” garage door can make your home look bland and boring — especially if it looks just like every other garage door on your street.

The latest styles offer:
* The carriage house look, a throwback to yesteryear that fools the eye by echoing the hinged, swing-out door styles of quaint and charming carriage houses — yet the doors open just like any other modern garage door.
* Sleek, contemporary doors available in vibrant colors, opaque glass and aluminum, and a range of metallic finishes to complement modern homes.
* Steel raised-panel doors with a wood grain print surface that requires minimal maintenance, beautifully imitating the rich colors and patterns of real wood.

Get the job done
Don’t know where to begin in looking for new garage door styles?

A wide variety of new styles are featured at GarageWowNow.com to point you in the right direction. Before and after images on the Web site allow you to see how new garage doors have dramatically changed the appearance of homes. And if you find a door that catches your fancy, the door manufacturer is clearly listed and you can go directly to their Web sites.

And remember, installation is best left to the pros. GarageWowNow.com’s ZIP code search function will help you find a professional in your area who can install your new door in a few hours.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average family spends $1,900 a year on utility bills. Unfortunately, much of that money is being wasted on inefficient heating and cooling systems, or excess use of appliances, according to Greg Schuman, electrician program chair at Everest Institute in San Bernardino, Calif.

Schuman advises you to break your house down into different systems of energy usage, including heating, cooling, water heating, lighting, computers and electronics, appliances and refrigeration. Once you break down your energy spending into different components, you can look for ways to maximize your energy consumption in each area.

Start with heating and cooling. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the costs of heating and cooling make up 46 percent of a family’s monthly utility bill. Schuman suggests you be conscious of the temperature at which you set your thermostat. Try to set your thermostat as high as is comfortable in summer and as low as is comfortable in winter. Schuman also recommends you buy timed thermostats that can be programmed to use less energy when you are at work during the day and asleep at night.

Second, Schuman says homeowners should take advantage of the sun’s natural heating system. “In winter months, you want to take advantage of the sun’s heat. Open your southern and western facing windows to let as much light in as possible and make sure to keep your windows as clean as possible. Depending on the size of your windows, the sun can really help heat up a room.” But in summer, Schuman advises keeping shades down and draperies closed to prevent the sun from entering.

Lighting is another relatively easy way to save energy. “Look into getting fluorescent light bulbs. Each light bulb can save you approximately $30 in electricity costs over its lifetime,” Schuman says. On average, fluorescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy, produce 75 percent less heat and can last up to 10 times as long as regular light bulbs, so they more than make up for the initial expense.

When shopping for new appliances, Thad Becker, electrician program instructor at Everest Institute in San Bernardino, Calif., says to always think of both the immediate price tag and the long-term operating cost. “Sometimes it is worth it to pay more in the short run for a more energy-efficient appliance,” Becker says. With refrigerators, top freezers are more efficient than side-by-side units. You also want to look for a fridge with automatic moisture control. Even if you aren’t in the market for a new refrigerator anytime soon, Becker says to make sure to cover liquids and food items to prevent moisture from accumulating in the fridge, which makes the fridge work harder.

The stovetop and oven are more expensive to use than a microwave or toaster oven. “Toaster ovens actually use one-third to half as much energy as a full-sized oven, so use your toaster oven when possible,” Becker says.

Laundering clothes differently also saves money. More than 90 percent of the cost of doing laundry comes from heating the water, so Becker suggests washing clothes in cold water whenever possible and making sure to fill loads completely before running them. He also advises not to over-dry clothes and, when possible, to air-dry your clothes. “Air drying is a great way to save energy, and it also has the added benefit of helping extend the life of your clothing,” says Becker.

If you are willing to spend a little money, check your insulation. Adding insulation to your attic floor, basement or crawl spaces is relatively easy and can prevent major heat loss in the winter. “If you are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in the summer, think about checking your insulation. Most homeowners don’t realize that only about 20 percent of homes built before 1980 are well-insulated,” Becker says.

“With a few small changes in your daily routine, or relatively inexpensive home improvements, you can really cut down on your energy usage, which can have a significant impact on your long-term utility costs, not to mention the pleasure of knowing that you are helping do your part to conserve energy,” Becker says.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

With so many unknowns about the current economy, Americans are hunkering down and spending more time at home, where they want to surround themselves with comforting colors. According to recent consumer research, the upside of the economic downturn has created the art of “brightsiding,” centered on recognizing pleasures and pastimes that are the side effects of uncertainty, as reported by the Yankelovich Monitor Minute. At the same time, environmental and international influences are leading to a new palette of colors that are both familiar and inspiring, driving a trend for contrasts in color.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the kitchen, where everyone tends to gather seeking comfort and cheer. Let color come to the rescue in the form of cabinetry finishes that complement other design elements including paint, wallcoverings, countertops and flooring. For example, Diamond Cabinets recently introduced the Inspired Collection of six hues, adding to its extensive variety of colorful finishes. All can be used either together or in contrast to create personality in the kitchen, whether it’s accenting a hearth, an island or serving as the main color for an overall design scheme.

Colorful finishes provide an affordable way to create a custom, designer look in your home, especially when used on beautifully designed semi-custom cabinetry. And with the range of colors available today, you can achieve a personalized look that reflects your passion, inspiration and individuality.

Renew, recharge, invigorate with color.

Everyone needs a space where you can renew, recharge and invigorate. Set the mood with new Oasis, a cool blue antique cabinetry finish that mimics water’s calming, rejuvenating power to transform any room into a tranquil refuge. Start by shoring up its blue and green tones with a cooler neutral paint and dark natural countertops. Then cap off the center island with a warmer, earthier organic material. Lastly, explore the idea of anchoring it all with rich brown natural wood flooring.

If you feel a desire to warm things up in your kitchen or bath, Honeysuckle finish provides a unique combination of upscale appeal and universal utility. This trendy but classic hue can be the signature color for your overall project, or used in contrast with lighter hardwood or ceramic tile flooring. Either way, it is sure to draw the eye and capture your imagination for new design possibilities, adding a sunny, welcoming color to your space.

For those who find relaxation in the outdoors, the Portobello finish can bring its effects indoors. This finish is a rare neutral with chameleon-like characteristics that takes its cue from Mother Nature, blending effortlessly with interior colors such as wine-colored reds, rich plums, mixed greens and barrel brown. Easily one of the most inviting colors to appear in nature, Portobello complements a wide variety of palettes with understated delicacy — easily blending with design schemes from shabby chic to feminine elegance.

Finally, if you’re feeling blue, try adding a splash of new Tidal Mist finish, which evokes the soft grays and gentle blues of the nation’s northern coasts, providing a comfortable blanket of color to your cabinets. This finish can be used as a cool complement to warm-based tones on walls or stone countertops and is especially beautiful on maple or cherry. It can also be used in contrast with other cabinets that are available in soothing colors such as Chocolate or Harvest Maple.

As an additional option, you can achieve the popular vintage look in all of the finishes through an heirloom technique, which employs a sand-through rub edge along the edges, giving cabinets the look of having been lovingly used for generations.

No matter how you choose to use them, either together or in contrast, colorful cabinetry finishes can create personality in your home and perk up your life when you and your family may need it most.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Lifestyle and design expert Susie Coelho is out to change all of that with a sweeping Home Design Stimulus Plan that offers immediate and effective relief for homeowners to boost their surroundings, both inside and out, without busting their budgets.

“Homeowners have been clamoring for widespread reform both inside and outside of the home,” says Coelho, who has provided guidance and support to homeowners for years with her best-selling books and HGTV makeover shows Surprise Gardener and Outer Spaces. “This plan will refresh any home design.”

The five key components to Coelho’s Home Design Stimulus Plan are as follows:

1. Provide immediate relief to family and living rooms with the removal of excess furniture.

Provide relief to living and family rooms that have been over-taxed by excess furniture and accessories. Space is the basis for contemporary design and this look can be achieved by trimming down. Stimulate and breathe new life into rooms by cutting back on anything that has become a liability instead of an asset. Remove that extra wing back chair, the torn ottoman, those pillows that swallow up the sofa, and maybe even that old carpet so that you can actually see some floor.

2. Cutback on spending with the addition of only inexpensive or handmade decorative pieces.

Fool guests by creating pieces of art for little or no money. Look for branches that can be put in a vase, a painting from a garage sale or flea market, a beautiful fabric piece, or even a great piece of wallpaper that can be framed. Find large pieces that make big statements. Light the art from the bottom with a small spotlight that can be tucked behind the piece. Let the art be the star of the room.

3. Infuse natural light into the home for an immediate morale (and energy efficient) boost.

Bring natural light into the home simply and affordably, and watch spirits increase as the energy bills decrease. Windows are a piece of art and can be used to showcase an outdoor tree or plant and create that seamless look between the indoors and the outdoors – but they must be clean. According to a recent survey, almost half of homeowners (48 percent) would rather clean the toilet or shower than their outdoor windows. For many that may be because of the time and effort that goes into the chore, but it can be simple and the results can be dramatic. I recommend using a new quick, easy and affordable solution for a streak-free shine in half the time – the Windex Outdoor All-in-One Glass Cleaning Tool.

4. Give outdoor areas some incentives by taking the best of interior design outside.

Bring change to your home by styling the outdoor spaces using simple indoor techniques. Add an outdoor rug to soften the patio floor; bring in a side table as a focal point or even an outdoor leather ottoman. Elevate the planter to the status it merits by placing it on a table instead of the ground. Add some decorative pillows to make the outdoor furniture more inviting. If in the market for furniture, choose those pieces that have the flexibility to be used either indoors or out.

5. Bailout your backyard!

No backyard challenge is insurmountable with these helpful hints for bringing quick relief to the outdoor areas. No place to plant? Go vertical in your garden with trellises, walls, arbors and planters. Use ivy, ficas, bougainvillea, night blooming jasmine, gardenias, and other fragrant species to stimulate the senses. Small spaces? Give the illusion of space by using a mirror to reflect and open up areas, adding an entirely new dimension.

With these easy tips, the indoor and outdoor spaces will look fabulous in no time. Next on the to-do list: find an excuse for a party to show off the beautifully refreshed home.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

And with so much inaccurate information being circulated, the American Hardwood Information Center (www.HardwoodInfo.com) would like to set the record straight about American hardwoods. The absolute bottom line is this. Because hardwoods are renewing and so abundant, they are nature’s choice for eco-effective design and building. The sustainable material!

So, what does “sustainable” really mean? The federal government’s definition, as stated in Executive Order 13423, says that “sustainable means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.” How does this relate to the hardwood industry and the environmental questions and concerns surrounding it? Here are the facts.

Grown in America — Responsibly Harvested — Naturally Abundant

Hardwoods are the botanical group of trees that have broad leaves, produce a fruit or nut, and generally go dormant in the winter. Requiring a temperate climate, most hardwood forestland is in the eastern half of the U.S.

In American hardwood forestry, the predominant harvesting method is single-tree selection. By carefully removing individual trees, openings in the forest canopy are created so that more precipitation, sunlight and nutrients reach the forest floor. A trained forester individually selects trees for harvesting and a crew removes the trees with the least disruption to the forest floor. This responsible forest management takes into consideration long-term timber production, while also addressing water quality, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, forest aesthetics and recreational opportunities.

The trees reproduce naturally and prolifically. Nearly twice as much hardwood grows each year as is harvested and in the past 50 years, the volume of hardwood in American forests has nearly doubled. Foresters work with the timeline that nature dictates: sustained supply and ongoing replenishment are the result.

Environmentally Friendly — Sustainable Manufacturing

Healthy forests are net producers of oxygen, thanks to photosynthesis. Growing trees take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and separate the carbon and oxygen atoms. Trees use the carbon to grow roots, trunk, branches and leaves (a tree uses 1.47 pounds of carbon dioxide to grown a pound of wood) then return the oxygen to the air (giving off 1.07 pounds of oxygen.) This process reduces greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

An acre of trees can remove about 13 tons of dust and gases from the atmosphere and we harvest them because in comparison to building products like steel, aluminum, glass, concrete, brick, wood requires a very small amount of energy to become lumber or other wood products. Advanced technology and responsible manufacturing assures the least wood waste and all wood processing by-products have a use:

* Tree bark becomes mulch and soil conditioners.
* Sawdust is sold for animal bedding or fuels the boilers that operate dry kilns.
* Trimmings are chipped and processed into paper and other products.
* Small wood pieces are processed or finger-jointed into wood components.

And because American hardwoods are just that, American, less energy is required for transport. Importing materials like bamboo, teak or mahogany, grown half-way around the world, requires a lot of energy.

Nature’s “Greenest” Choice

Perhaps Linda Jovanovich, director of operations of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association, says it best. “Don’t be afraid to choose hardwood flooring for your home, or to ask for solid hardwood furniture. American hardwoods are abundant and sustainable and for centuries have been providing beauty, warmth and functional value for floors, furniture, mouldings, millwork and cabinetry. And wood products are better than carbon neutral. They’re carbon negative. No other material can compare!”

To request the 48-page booklet entitled “Sustainable Solutions,” and for more information on American hardwood species and sustainable design, visit the American Hardwood Information Center at www.HardwoodInfo.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent